Dry pendant sprinklers



March 5, 1963 I F. A. GLOECKLE 3,080,000

DRY PENDANT SPRINKLERS Filed July 19, 1961 ATTORNEY ltd diaree This invention relates to sprinklers, and more particularly to sprinklers of the dry pendant type.

in my prior application for Letters Patent, filed July 17, 1959, Serial No. 827,783, now Patent No. 3,007,528 there is shown a sprinkler of the dry pendant type in which an improved character of valve for isolating the iiuid is retained in closed condition in a simple but effective manner until it is desired to release the same.

ln accordance with the present invention, a dry pendant sprinkler is provided of related type, but in which an improved and simplified construction is provided for retaining the valve member in closed condition and for controlling the release of the same.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a dry pendant sprinkler of simple but effective construction which is suited for use in unheated areas and the like, and which has an improved character of fluid retention and discharge control.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a sprinkler assembly of the dry pendant type having an improved character of valve control structure in which the valv is maintained in closed condition independent of the assembly tension stress imposed in the sprinkler component.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a sprinkler assembly of the dry pendant type having an improved character of valve control structure such that the temperature responsive elements can be assem bled, set and tension tested as a separate entity prior to installation in the system.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a sprinkler assembly of the dry pendant type having a closure which does not require the application of any seating pressure thereon, and which is not subject to the imposition of stresses from the temperature responsive element employed therewith.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic sprinkler component or" the dry pendant type having an improved construction for controlling the retention and release of the valve and thereby isolating the iluid controlled by the valve until the same is released for discharge.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved sprinkler component of the dry pendant type having a valve for controlling the delivery of lire extinguishing fluid in which an improved character of support is provided for retaining the lvalve in closed position, but which is capable of release by temperature responsive components of known type.

lt is a further obiect of the present invention to provide a sprinkler of the dry pendant type in which the constituent parts are simple in construction yet reliable in operation.

- ther objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part t ereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical central sectional view of a preferred form of dry pendant sprinkler in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 2 2 of FlG. l.

assess Patented Mar. 5, 1953 It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a preferred form of dry pendant sprinkler is illustrated as mounted in an opening 5 in a ceiling 6 of a character where minimum exposure is desired although the sprinkler is not limited to this particular type of mounting. The sprinkler includes a conductor tube 1l) of any preferred material, such as brass or other material resistant to corrosive action of the extinguishing iluid and to atmospheric exposure. The length of the tube lil will be determined by the requirements of the particular installation.

The tube 10, at the upper end thereof, is provided with an inlet nozzle l1 having a cylindrical side wall portion l2 in close fitting engagement with the exterior wall of the tube 1li and held in fixed relation with respect thereto by a plurality of nozzle locking pins 13.

The inlet nozzle 11 has a main bore 14 extending upwardly from the upper end of the tube 10 and preferably of smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the tube le.

The inlet nozzle ll, at the upper end of the bore 14, has an inclined shoulder l5 extending to an intermediate bore 16 of smaller diameter than the bore 14. The intermediate rbore 16 terminates at a transverse shoulder 17 from which an end bore 18 of still further reduced diameter extends to the upper terminal end of the nozzle 11. The bores 14, 16 and 18 are in vertical longitudinal axial alignment.

The inlet nozzle 11 is externally threaded as at 19 for attachment to a supply oi lire extinguishing uid and the nozzle l1 is preferably placed at a location free from any tendency of freezing.

A valve member 20 is provided, preferably in the form of a piston of smaller diameter than the diameter of the bore 18, and has an annular groove 21 therein for the reception of a packing ring 22, preferably an O-ring, for engagement with the bore i8 and preventing fluid leakage downwardly past the valve piston 2G when it is in the position as illustrated in FIG. 1. The valve piston 2t) also is provided with an annular groove 23 with beveled ends 24 for the reception of a plurality of retaining balls 25 which normally, while in engagement in the groove 23, are retained against upward movement by the abutment against the shoulder 17, and are restrained against radial outward movement by the bore 16.

Within the tube ld, at the lower end thereof, a sprinkler bushing 23 is provided and held in position with respect to the tube lil *by a plurality of pins 29 extending through the tube lil and into engagement with the bushing 28.

Within the interior of the tube 16, a support tube 3i) is provided having an upper inwardly beveled terminal end 3l, and a lower section 32 of reduced diameter to conform to the internal diameter of the bushing, the shoulder 33 at the upper end of the lower section 32 serving as an abutment upon engagement with the upper face 34 of the bushing 2%.

Within the lower end of the bushing Z, and in engagement with the lower end of the support tube 30, a control sleeve 35 is provided of predetermined length and has an outwardly extending iange 36 for engagement with the underface of the sprinkler bushing 23. The sleeve 35 is preferably made of relatively soft material to facilitate seating of the ange 36. A drain opening 37 can be provided in the support tube 3l). The temperature responsive element of the sprinkler can be any desired type, one suitable construction being that shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,664,956. This construction includes an open frame-'38 integral with the bushing 28 and having alboss 39 through which a threaded adjusting stemr40 extends. The stem 40 has an end socket 41 for engagement with a rounded projection 42 on a supporting disc 43. The stern 40 `'has a distributing plate 44 secured thereto which also `serves for manually turning the stem et) upon assembly. The disc 43 has an excess itemperature responsive -strut 45 mounted thereon with a socket 46 within which low melting point material (not shown) -is provided and with which a ball 47 is in engagement. rlhe'ball 47 is also in engagement with a socket 48Von the lower end of a valve plug 50. The -valve lplug 50 is adapted to seat on the lower face of the'ange 36. Interjposed -between the valve plug'Stl and the supporting disc 43, a` pairof bowed struts 51 and 52 is provided in compression and in nnsymmetrical relation with respect to 'the central axis of the strut 45. The compression 'of the 'central strut 45 and of the bowed struts 51 and 52 is determined by the adjustment of the stem 40 ina conventional manner.

fIt will be noted, however, that the compressive y"forces applied tothe central strut 45 and the bowed strut-s 51 and Y52 are transmitted only to the ilange 36 and thence to the Vbushing 28, and are not applieduplwardly through the control sleeve 35, the support tube 3 0 nor to 'the ,balls 25. The eiect of expansion and contraction 'of rvthe tube ll() and nozzle v11 'does not affect the temperature Tesponsive element, nor the forces applied upon setting of the struts 45, 51 and 52.

The sprinkler temperature responsive element :and the vadjustment thereof is independent of the support of the Ypiston lbecause of the abutment of the valve plug 50 againstthe seating flange 36. By reason of the 'engagement of the balls 25 with the end wall 17, the adjust- .fmentofthe position of the valve piston 20 as determined by the support tube 30 and the balls 25 isv not affected .by the .adjustment of the temperature .responsive element-of the sprinkler.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

In use and in the set condition the structure will be in the condition illustrated in FIG. l, with the upper face ,of the valve piston 20 Aexposed to the .pressure of the `fire extinguishing fluid yand held against downward movement by the balls 25 in the groove 23, Athe balls 25 .in turn being held in supporting positions by the support tube '34), the control sleeve 35 and the temperature responsive elements between the valve plug.50 and the disc 43.

YUpon the -occurrence of excess temperature in the vicinityY of the` strut 45 fusing of the Alow melting point material in the socket 46 will occur and the support furnished by the strut 45 is removed. The unsymme'trical .bowed struts 51 and 52 tend to exert a displacing force so that the valve plug 50 is disengaged from its seating position in engagement with the ange 36. The displacement or collapse of these portions of the structure and the consequent removal of theplug 50 permits the con- `trolsleeve 3S to move downwardly and fall away through ,one of the openings in the frame 38.

The removal ofthe control sleeve 35 permits downward movement of the support tube 30 until the shoulder 33 engages `the face 34. As the support tube 30 moves downwardly, the 'balls '25 first move downwardly and then radially outwardly to positions close to the bore '14 to free the valve'piston 2l) and permit the same to move downwardly by the pressureapplied thereon by the fire extinguishing uid, and pass outwardly through the v@lower end of the support tube 30 and thus provide a free and unobstructed passage within the support tube 30 for uid ilow.

As the valve piston 2li moves downwardly within the Y support tube 30, the balls 25 fall inwardly into the interior of the support tube 30 and pass downwardly therethrough 4and outwardly.

.Fluid available from the supply to the inlet nozzle 11 i's' delivered downwardly through the .bore V18 and through the interior of the support tube 3i) and is discharged downwardly, and upon striking the distributing plate 44, is sprayed and sprinkled over a substantial area in the manner customary with sprinklers.

It will be noted that the valve piston 20, when in engagement with the bore 1S, provides with its sealing ring 22 afuid `tight closure preventing fluid leakage .and .uponremoval of the support .thereof .permits 'lluid discharge.

I claim: v

1. A sprinklerjhaving a .tubular member with one end for connection to a supply of uid, a closure member "for closing the other-end thereof, a temperature responsive element for retaining said kclosn-re member in position, -said tubular member'fhavingan interior cylindrical'wall portion .and an additional enlargedcylindrical bore with a transverse '-face, a valve memberin the upper end of said .tubular memberi-ncluding a cylindrical. piston having an end 'faeepexposed tothe pressure of the fluid from said supply rand having -a peripheral portion in Vengagement -with -said wall portion sealing said end of -said tubular member against access @of vlluid from said supply, said -v'alve' member `'being -downwardly Amovable within said tubular member, and members in said tubular member for retaining said valve Ymember in iluid flow preventing 'posit-ion, including a plurality of restraining members in 'fsa'i'cl cylindrical bore in engagement withsaid pistonand said transverse face, and a-fcontrol tube retaining said restraining members "in holding positions.

Y Y2. A sprinkler having a tubular member with one end Vfor connection to -a supply of duid, a closure memberfor vclosingthe other -end thereof, .a temperature responsive element for retaining'said closure member in position, -said tubular member having an interior cylindrical wall portionand anadditionalenlarged cylindrical bore with a transverse face, a valve member in the upper end of said tubularvmember'inclu'ding a cylindrical piston having an end face exposed to the pressure of the fluid from said v'supply' l'and having a peripheral portion in engagement 'with -sa'id wall portion sealing said end of said tubular lmember against access of uid from said supply, said valve member being downwardly movable within said tubular member, and members in said tubular member v4for retaining vsaidV valve mem-ber in uid flow preventing position, said `retaining members including a plurality of 'ball-sinsaidenlarged bore in engagement with said piston, `said enlarged bore and said end face, and a control tube retaining said balls in holding positions.

-3.- -A `dryl pendant sprinkler comprising 'a conductor tube, `an inlet member for connection to a supply of liuid -secured to said tube a-t thefupperv end thereof, Vsaid inlet member havingan interior bore witha bore of reduced diameter thereabove and an lend -terminal bore thereabove of further reduced diameter, a bushing member extending upwardlywithin said Aconductor tube from the `ltiwer end thereof, said bushing member having an interior bore, saidbnshing member havinga lower end face, a control sleeve insaid bushing member bore and having `alower ange for engagement with said lower face, a temperature responsive element carried by said bushing, said temperature responsive'element including a closure `member for engagement with said flange for closing theV lower end ofsaid bushing, anda fusible device for normally retaining Ysaid closure in seating `position Yon said flange but separable with respect thereto' upon'the occurrence Yof excessive temperature, a vpiston Vslidably mounted Yin said inlet member and having a portion in slidable engagement with said Vend terminal bore, the por- Vtion in slidable engagement with the end terminal bore having a lperipheral packing portion in sealing engagement with Ythe end terminal bore, and members inter'- 4. A dry pendant sprinkler comprising a vconductor tube, an inlet member for connection to a supply of fluid secured to said tube at the upper end thereof, said inlet member having an interior bore with a bore of reduced diameter there above and an end terminal bore thereabove of further reduced diameter, a bushing member extending upwardly within said conductor tube from the lower end thereof, said bushing member having an interior -bore of lesser diameter than the diameter of the conductor tube, said bushing member having a lower end face, a control sleeve in said bushing member bore and having a lower ange for engagement with said lower face, a temperature responsive element carried by said bushing, said temperature responsive element including a closure member for engagement with said ange for closing the lower end of said bushing and a fusible device for normally retaining said closure in seating position on said ange but separable with respect thereto upon the occurrence of excessive temperature, a piston lslidably mounted in said inlet member and having a por tion in slidable engagement with said end termi-nal bore, the portion in slidable engagement with the end terminal bore having a peripheral packing portion in sealing engagement with the end terminal bore, said piston having a ball receiving groove in the periphery thereof, supporting devices interposed between said pist-on and said control sleeve including a plurality of balls in said pi-ston groove positioned by said intermediate bore, and a support tube having a portion for engagement with said balls and retaining said balls in piston supporting position.

5. A dry pendant sprinkler as dened in claim 4 in which said support tube and said bushing member have interengaging portions for limiting the downward move ment of said support tube.

Rowley Nov. 14, 1939 Gloeckler Nov. 7, 1,961 

1. A SPRINKLER HAVING A TUBULAR MEMBER WITH ONE END FOR CONNECTION TO A SUPPLY OF FLUID, A CLOSURE MEMBER FOR CLOSING THE OTHER END THEREOF, A TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE ELEMENT FOR RETAINING SAID CLOSURE MEMBER IN POSITION, SAID TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING AN INTERIOR CYLINDRICAL WALL PORTION AND AN ADDITIONAL ENLARGED CYLINDRICAL BORE WITH A TRANSVERSE FACE, A VALVE MEMBER IN THE UPPER END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL PISTON HAVING AN END FACE EXPOSED TO THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID FROM SAID SUPPLY AND HAVING A PERIPHERAL PORTION IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID WALL PORTION SEALING SAID END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AGAINST ACCESS OF FLUID FROM SAID SUPPLY, SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING DOWNWARDLY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, AND MEMBERS IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FOR RETAINING SAID VALVE MEMBER IN FLUID FLOW PREVENTING POSITION, INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF RESTRAINING MEMBERS IN SAID CYLINDRICAL BORE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PISTON AND SAID TRANSVERSE FACE, AND A CONTROL TUBE RETAINING SAID RESTRAINING MEMBERS IN HOLDING POSITIONS. 